Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – January28, 2018.

Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Ps 95:1-2,6-7,7-9-;

 1 Cor. 7:32-35; Gospel – Mark 1:21-28.

Theme: Authoritative Witnessing!

Introduction

Friends in Christ, today the Church puts before us the demands of authoritative witnessing. Our liturgy shall explore the readings in view of pastoral implications. To do that, we shall reflect on the theme “Authoritative Witnessing” as it concerns priests, religious and laity bearing in mind our common baptism in Christ as well as the universal call to holiness.  

Summary of Our Readings

Our first reading from the book of Deuteronomy (Deut. 18:15-20) recounts how Moses the veteran leader of the Israelites promised the people that the Lord would raise a leader from amongst them as a response to their request at Horeb. It is curial to note that Moses testified that God would put his words in the mouth of the said leader and everyone must listen to him otherwise there are consequences. The sacred text further warns fake prophets who have no spiritual pedigree and those who “speak in the name of other gods” to reform or perish.

The second reading (1 Cor. 7:32-35) reveals the Pauline theology of celibacy as a witnessing which pleases God. St. Paul praises celibacy and virginity for the sake of the kingdom of God. It lauds the Evangelical Counsel of celibacy/chastity which is the seasoning of the vocation to the priestly and religious life as a rare privilege to serve the Lord with an “undivided attention” and also an avenue for authoritative witnessing.

In like manner, the message of the gospel (Mark 1:21-28) presents Christ as a witness par excellence whose teaching always makes a “deep impression” on his audience because he taught them “with authority.” The gospel further discloses Jesus’ authority by stating how he exorcised the man with unclean spirits. The testimony of the people namely “here is a teaching that is new – and with authority behind it: He gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him” confirms Jesus’ power to act in the name of God.

Pastoral Application

1. Just as Moses gave hope to the Israelites that God would raise a great prophet from amongst them, it is incumbent on Pastors of Souls to be “Marketers of hope” as Bishop Matthew Kukah always insists.

2.  The promise of a prophet as a response to the request of the people of Israel at Horeb indicates that God fulfils his promises in our lives.

3. We charged to always remember that our priests are representatives of Christ and whatever they proclaim in God’s name enjoys divine endorsement just as the people of Israel took the words of Moses as divinely inspired.

4. Our liturgy warns us about the consequence of not listening to the voice of God and putting same into practice. 

5. Pastors of souls must always seek divine empowerment bearing in mind that they represent God and not themselves especially in preaching the Word of God.

6. Priests are urged to prepare their homilies and catechesis well bearing in mind that Christ spoke with authority and his teaching made a “deep impression” on His audience.

7. The caveat about fake prophets should prompt pastors of souls to evaluate their vocation on the demands of true and authoritative witnessing.

8. The Pauline theology of celibacy and chastity not only reminds us about the flavour which this Evangelical Counsel provides the Church but calls priests and religious to rededicate themselves to witnessing the gospel values.

9. The Authoritative Witnessingdisplayed by Jesus in the gospel is a call on the Church to always put the ministry of the sick on the front burner as a way of showing God’s comforting countenance to the infirmed and strengthening those who are weak.

10. That the unclean spirits obey Christ demonstrates the power of God over evil and also the ultimate call to Authoritative Witnessing to trample over scorpions. 

Homiletic Quotes to Remember

1.Today the Church puts before us the demands of authoritative witnessing.

2. Our liturgy warns fake prophets who have no spiritual pedigree as well as those who “speak in the name of other gods” to reform or perish.

3.St. Paul praises celibacy and virginity for the sake of the kingdom of God.

4. Our liturgy presents Christ as a witness par excellence whose teaching always makes a “deep impression” on his audience because he taught them “with authority.”

5.Priests and Religious are reminded that their vocation is as a rare privilege to serve the Lord with an “undivided attention.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, we are challenged as Christians to always enjoy the divine mandate we received during baptism which made us co-sharers in the common priesthood of Christ. Just as Christ was anointed Priest, King and Prophet, we are charged to use our fusion in Christ as a way of making a “deep impression” on those we meet in the daily event of our lives. While this call to holiness and authoritative witnessing is for all Christians, priests and religious are specifically challenged to understand that that their lives and ministry must give witness to Christ. Happy Sunday - Have a great week ahead.